Published in:
01-07-2017 | Pediatrics
Macular morphology in former preterm and full-term infants aged 4 to 10 years
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 7/2017
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Objective
To analyse macular retinal and choroidal layer thickness in former preterm and full-term infants and to assess associated perinatal influence factors and functional correlation.
Methods
This prospective controlled, cross-sectional, hospital-based study in a tertiary center of maximum care examined former preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) ≤ 32 weeks and full-term neonates currently aged 4 to 10 years. We investigated data from 397 infants, analysing total foveal retinal thickness and six distinct macular retinal layer and choroidal layer measurements via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to investigate associations of layer thickness with GA and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Results
Total retinal thickness in the fovea was thicker in former preterm infants with GA ≤ 28 weeks and in those with GA between 29–32 weeks compared to full-term infants independently of ROP. Occurrence of ROP was also associated with increased foveal thickness. Ganglion cell layer together with inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) was thinner in infants with GA ≤ 28 weeks than in full-term infants at 1000 and 2000μm distance from the fovea, but no association with ROP was present. Similar results were found for the photoreceptor layer. Total foveal retinal thickness was associated with low visual function.
Conclusion
This study identified low gestational age and ROP occurrence as main determinants for foveal thickening. Furthermore, thinned GCL+IPL measurements were associated with lower gestational age. This study highlights the prognostic value of these maturity parameters influencing retinal morphology, which may affect visual function.